Supporting the designation of October 5, 2019, as National Ostomy Awareness Day.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 601 Supporting the designation of October 5, 2019, as National Ostomy Awareness Day. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, and Mr. SOTO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Com- mittee on Oversight and Reform RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of October 5, 2019, as National Ostomy Awareness Day. Whereas an ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an open- ing in the abdomen that allows for the removal of bodily waste when a person has lost the normal function of di- gestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions; Whereas an ostomy is also necessary in cases of severe ab- dominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or from injuries sustained during military service; Whereas approximately 725,000 to 1,000,000 people in the United States have an ostomy or continent diversion, VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Sep 27, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR601.IH HR601 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 601 IH with approximately 100,000 new ostomy procedures per- formed each year; Whereas ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age and does not lower life expectancy; Whereas through the efforts of ostomy support organizations, people needing these surgeries are becoming more aware of the opportunities for education, mutual aid, advocacy, and support that are of such great benefit to them and their families; Whereas the aim of National Ostomy Awareness Day is to work toward a society where people with ostomies and in- testinal or urinary diversions are universally accepted and supported socially, economically, medically, and psycho- logically; Whereas public education and awareness is vital to ensure those who are living with an ostomy face no discrimina- tion and are accepted as normal, healthy individuals; Whereas through education and awareness we can erase the myths, stigma, and embarrassment that are sometimes associated with having an ostomy; Whereas there is a deep commitment to the proper care and advancement of knowledge about bowel and urinary di- version surgery as a result of birth defects, disease, in- jury, and other digestive disorders; and Whereas to increase public acceptance of ostomy surgery and continent diversion surgery and to remind those who have had surgery in the United States that by raising aware- ness they can help the world better understand this life- saving surgery and help people receive better ostomy care: Now, therefore, be it: Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Sep 27, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR601.IH HR601 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 601 IH (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 1 Ostomy Awareness Day; and 2 (2) encourages the people of the United States 3 to observe the day with the appropriate awareness 4 and educational activities. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:48 Sep 27, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR601.IH HR601 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS